PISCATAWAY, N.J. - The Rutgers softball team is back on the field starting off the 2024 campaign at the Houston Invitational meeting up with the host Cougars, Colgate and Indiana State.
- The Rutgers softball team returns 12 letterwinners, including seven starters, and adds seven newcomers to this year's roster.
- A year ago, Rutgers picked up a 30-win season for the first time since 1994 ending the year at 32-25 overall with its best start since 1980.
- The Scarlet Knights captured its first top-25 victory since 2012 with a win over #18/19 Northwestern, a team that ultimately reached the NCAA Super Regionals.
- RU opened the year at 8-0 for the first time in 43 seasons and finished the nonconference schedule at 23-11.
- The squad returned to the Big Ten Tournament behind a victory over No. 18/19 and Big Ten champion Northwestern, along with Big Ten series sweeps of Illinois and Maryland.
- The Scarlet Knights earned five conference post-season honors with three named Second Team All-Big with nods to third baseman Payton Lincavage, outfielder/pitcher Morgan Smith and shortstop Kyleigh Sand. Smith was also named Big Ten All-Defense. Morgan Smith and Kyleigh Sand were also named All-Region honorees
- Payton Lincavage was bestowed the prestigious Rawlings Golden Glove Award as the nation's top third baseman having committed only one error the entire season.
Head Coach: Marissa Lamison-Myers (Clarion '10) - 101-141-1 overall (sixth season)/101-141-1 at Colgate (sixth season)
2023 Record: 17-31
2023 Patriot Record: 6-12
All-Time Series: Rutgers leads 6-2 (Last Meeting: Feb. 20, 2022 - W, 2-0)
Returning Raiders:
Batting
- Kara Fusco - .289 BA, 19 runs, 44 hits, 10 doubles, 1 triple, 5 HRs, 32 RBIs
- Adrienne Nardone - .287 BA, 19 runs, 41 hits, 5 doubles, 1 triple, 7 HRs, 29 RBIs
- Jillian Herbst - .280 BA, 14 runs, 42 hits, 5 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR, 23 RBIs
Pitching
- Bailey Misken - 8-14 W-L, 4.27 ERA, 11 CG, 1 save, 152.1 IP, 112 Ks
- Alexa Acker - 5-11 W-L, 4.89 ERA, 6 CG, 78.2 IP, 40 Ks
Head Coach: Mike Perniciaro (Missouri - St. Louis '93) - 337-362 overall (13th season)/134-155 at Indiana State (6th season)
2023 Record: 32-25
2023 MVC: 17-10
All-Time Series: Rutgers leads 1-0 (Last Meeting: March 20, 1999 - W, 5-4 (9))
Returning Sycamores:
Batting
- Isabella Henning - .378 BA, 42 runs, 65 hits, 12 doubles, 10 HRs, 37 RBIs, .622 slg % - D1Softball Preseason Power Rankings - No. 15 First Base | Second Team All-Region | All-MVC First Team | MVC All-Tournament Team
- Kennedy Shade - .318 BA, 26 runs, 50 hits, 10 doubles, 4 HRs, 29 RBIs
- Danielle Henning - .283 BA, 27 runs, 62 hits, 9 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR, 23 RBIs
Pitching
- Cassi Newbanks - 6-5 W-L, 3.24 ERA, 2 CG, 1 save, 89.0 IP, 46 Ks
- Lauren Sackett - 8-8 W-L, 3.75 ERA, 6 CG, 5 saves, 100.2 IP, 129 Ks
Head Coach: Kristen Vesley (Oklahoma '06) - 186-163-1 overall (7th Season)/186-163-1 at Houston (7th Season)
2023 Record: 20-30
2023 American Record: 7-10
All-Time Series: Rutgers leads 3-2 (Last Meeting: Feb. 17, 2018 - W, 4-3)
Returning Cougars:
Batting
- Turiya Coleman - .397 BA, 33 runs, 56 hits, 11 doubles, 8 HRs, 26 RBIs - Preseason All-Big 12 | Second Team All-Region | First Team All-American Athletic Conference
- Bree Cantu - .350 BA, 26 runs, 49 hits, 9 doubles, 9 HRs, 35 RBIs - First Team All-American Athletic Conference
- Paige Hulsey - .267 BA, 28 runs, 39 hits, 6 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR, 13 RBIs
TheRutgers softball team travels to the Panther Invitational to meet host FIU along with Army and Duke.
Follow Rutgers softball on
Facebook,
Twitter and
Instagram.
- RU -
